Wing Hin Stanford Siu

Taiwan is one of the countries with the highest motorcycle per capita globally, and motorcycle crashes are predominant among traffic crashes. This study examines the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions on motorcycle crashes. We analyzed the trend of motorcycle crashes in Taipei City from 2019 to 2020 using the dataset provided by the Department of Transportation, Taipei City Government, Taiwan. We found 47,108 and 51,441 motorcycle crashes in 2019 and 2020, involving 61,141 and 67,093 motorcycles, respectively. Mopeds had the highest risk in 2020, followed by heavy motorcycles [≥550 cubic capacity (cc)] and scooters compared to 2019. Food delivery motorcycle crashes increased for scooters (0.93% in 2019 to 3.45% in 2020, P < .0001) and heavy motorcycles (250 < cc < 550) (0.90% in 2019 to 3.38% in 2020, P < .0001). While fatalities remained under 1%, 30% to 51% of motorcyclists sustained injuries. Food delivery with scooters or heavy motorcycles (250 < cc < 550) was significantly associated with motorcyclist injuries and deaths. Compared with 2019, the adjusted odds ratios of motorcyclist injuries and deaths in 2020 were 1.43 (95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.94) for heavy motorcycles (≥550 cc) and 1.07 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–1.09) for scooters. This study shows that coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions was associated with elevated risks of crashes, injuries, and deaths among motorcyclists, reflecting the general preference for private transport over public transport. The popularity of food delivery services also contributed to increased motorcycle crashes.

Background: C1-C2 subluxation is a rare complication of enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA). If left untreated, it may lead to functional impairment or cervical spinal cord compression. This study aims to highlight key points regarding the management of C1-C2 subluxation in ERA. Case presentation: We present two cases of C1-C2 subluxation: an 8-year-old boy with ERA and 16-year-old boy with ERA with bilateral sacroiliitis. Ten cases of ERA in the literature were reviewed. The diagnosis of C1-C2 subluxation is mostly based on radiographs and cervical spine computed tomography. All patients were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Six ERA patients were treated surgically for cervical fusion. Most ERA patients with sacroiliitis had cervical collar protection. Neurologic abnormalities after treatment were not reported. Despite the use of cervical collar, cervical fusion and persisting ankylosis were found in two ERA patients with sacroiliitis without surgical treatment. Conclusions: Cervical spine protection and ruling out spinal cord compression should be prioritized, in addition to controlling the underlying inflammation in ERA. Cervical halter traction may be applied after severe cervical inflammation is excluded. To reduce the risk of complications, early recognition and appropriate treatments of C1-C2 subluxation in ERA are essential.

Aftercare programs’ effectiveness for suicide ideators has seldom been reported. This study assessed rates and factors related to the recurrence of suicide-related episodes after the index suicidal ideation episode, index cases, and family members receiving aftercare. This is a secondary data analysis of 1787 suicidal ideation episodes from 1557 individuals reported to the National Suicide Surveillance System in New Taipei City, Taiwan, from January 2012 to June 2013 and followed up until September 2013. Among 1787 index suicidal ideations, 19.1% had recurrences of suicide-related episodes, including suicidal ideation (11.9%), attempt (6.7%), and death (0.5%) within 2 years after index ideation. These recurrences were significantly reduced after the index cases received aftercare twice, three, and four or higher. Family members receiving aftercare twice or more were associated with reduced suicidality in the index cases. Receiving aftercare among index cases was associated with being a woman, suicide due to occupation/finance, and reporting from suicide hotlines. Receiving aftercare among family members was associated with the index cases aged ≤ 19 years old, suicide reasons related to school, occupation/finance, and reporting from schools and hospitals. Aftercare programs for suicide ideators and family members of adolescent suicide ideators (aged ≤ 19 years old) decreased subsequent episodes of suicidal behavior.

Objective Adolescents’ sexual behaviours are associated with sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed to estimate the sexual intercourse and condom use rates at first and last sex among Taiwanese adolescents in grades 7–12. Design A secondary data analysis of the Taiwan Global School-Based Student Health Survey’s 2012–2016 data. The survey was anonymous, cross-sectional and nationwide. Setting Taiwan high school students (grades 7–12). Participants The sample comprised 27 525 students from junior high schools (grades 7–9), and senior high schools, comprehensive schools, vocational high schools and night schools (grades 10–12). Main outcome measures The rate of ever having had sexual intercourse; the rates and factors of condom use at first and last sex. Results The sexual intercourse rate in each school type (in ascending order) was junior high school (1.62%), senior high school (4.14%), comprehensive school (9.08%), vocational high school (14.03%) and night school (41.09%). Condom use rate decreased from 57.07% (95% CI=54.31% to 59.83%) at first sex to 25.72% (95% CI=23.34% to 28.10%) at last sex (pConclusions This study highlights an urgent need to instil a proper understanding of protected sex while adolescents are still in their formative years. Despite the low sexual intercourse rate (4.95%), there is lower condom use at last sex than at first sex, which indicates that many sexually active adolescents are not practising protected sex, especially among junior high school students.